Flashlights and other battery-powered apparatus for holding and energizing transducers

ABSTRACT

A battery-powered apparatus for holding and energizing an electric transducer, includes a hand-held battery housing carrying the transducer mount, and first and second internal battery contacts. A first external battery charge terminal is on the transducer mount, and a second external battery charge terminal is on a part of the battery housing, such as its end cap. A double-throw switch has a common element electrically connected to an internal battery terminal contact, has a first switched contact leading to a first terminal of the electric transducer, and has opposite second switched contact electrically connected to an external battery charge terminal. If there are two electric transducers, they may be a part of a light source comprising a reflector, a first electric lamp having a filament at its focal point, and a second electric lamp extending into that reflector beside the first electric lamp.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject inventions relate to flashlights and other battery-poweredapparatus for holding and energizing electric transducers.

BACKGROUND

Battery-Powered apparatus for holding and energizing one or moreelectric transducers are well known and include flashlights, laserpointers, and electrically powered tools, to name a few examples.

Prior-art apparatus with rechargeable batteries for powering one or moreelectric light sources or other transducers either exposed transducersto battery charging currents, especially if the user accidentally turnedon a transducer energizing switch, or imposed charging currentlimitations by charging the batteries through a flashlight filament orother active electric transducer part, or required the provision ofspecial isolated electrodes, wires and the like for feeding batterycharging currents through apparatus parts, or exposed battery chargersto shorting through faulty positioning of switches on the apparatus, orhad two or more of such drawbacks.

There also is a need for improved switching equipment that can handleselective switching of transducer energizing circuits and of batterycharging circuits in battery powered apparatus, and that can performother switching functions.

There similarly is a need for improved switching equipment that canhandle selective energization of at least two electric transducers orother loads.

Especially hand-held light sources with two filaments or lamps typicallywill produce a well-focused narrow beam from one filament and a verypoorly focused irregular beam with dark rings and spots from the otherfilament, whereas the need is to produce not only a well-focused narrowbeam from the higher power lamp, but also a well-focused broad beam 15from the lower powered lamp.

There also is a need for improved transducer mounts or housing inbattery-powered apparatus.

With prior-art flashlights, it is often difficult to retain awell-focused light output when a light source is replaced. Alsoprior-art flashlights often are impaired by a deteriorating performancebecause of progressively corroding switch contacts and battery terminalcontacts.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTIONS

It is an object of one of the inventions herein disclosed and claimed toprovide improved rechargeable battery-powered apparatus for holding andenergizing at least one electric transducer, wherein any transducer isisolated from battery chargers and charging currents, wherebytransducers are protected and charging current limitations imposed bytransducers are avoided, and wherein battery charging currents are ledthrough parts of the apparatus without the need of any electrodes, wiresand the like that would have to be electrically insulated from theapparatus part through which the particular electrode or wire proceeds.

According to one of the inventions herein disclosed, that object is metby battery-powered apparatus for holding and energizing an electrictransducer producing an output from a battery current, comprising, incombination, a transducer mount, a hand-held battery housing carryingthe transducer mount, a first internal battery terminal contact at thetransducer mount, a second internal battery terminal contact remote fromthe transducer mount, a first external battery charge terminal on thetransducer mount, a second external battery charge terminal on a part ofthe battery housing, a double-throw switch having a common elementelectrically connected to one of the first and second internal batteryterminal contacts, having a first switched contact leading to a firstterminal of the electric transducer, and having an opposite secondswitched contact electrically connected to one of the first and secondexternal battery charge terminals, an actuator for that switch includingone of (a) the transducer mount and (b) the above-mentioned part of thebattery housing, movable relatively to each other, andcurrent-conducting paths between the other of the first and secondinternal battery terminal contacts and the other of the first and secondexternal battery charge terminals and a second terminal of the electrictransducer.

It is an object of an invention herein disclosed and claimed to provideimproved battery-powered apparatus for holding and energizing a firstelectric transducer producing a first output, and a second electrictransducer producing a different second output from a battery current.

That invention resides in such apparatus comprising, in combination, ahand-held battery housing mounting the first and second electrictransducers and having a pair of spaced internal battery terminalcontacts, an electric transducer energizing circuit between the internalbattery terminal contacts and the first and second electric transducers,including an electric switch, comprising a rotary switch actuatorthreaded to the battery housing for rotary and axial movement relativeto the battery housing, a first switch contact part on the batteryhousing, a second switch contact part coupled to the rotary switchactuator and in electrical connection with the first switch contact partin a first angular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator, andout of connection from the first switch contact part in a second angularand axial position of the rotary switch actuator, and a third switchcontact part coupled to the rotary switch actuator and in electricalconnection with the first switch contact part in the second angular andaxial position of the rotary switch actuator, and out of connection fromthe first switch contact part in the first angular and axial position ofthe rotary switch actuator. The first switch contact part is connectedto one of the internal battery terminal contacts, the first electrictransducer has a first terminal connected to the second switch contactpart, and the second electric transducer has a first terminal connectedto the third switch contact part, and the first and second electrictransducers have second terminals connected to the other internalbattery terminal contact.

It is an object of an invention herein disclosed and claimed to provideimproved electric switches.

The invention from a first aspect of that invention resides in anelectric switch, comprising, in combination, a support, a rotary switchactuator threaded to the support for rotary and axial movement relativeto the support, a first switch contact part on the support, a secondswitch contact part coupled to the rotary switch actuator and inelectrical connection with the first switch contact part in a firstangular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator, and out ofconnection from the first switch contact part in a second angular andaxial position of the rotary switch actuator, and a third switch contactpart coupled to the rotary switch actuator and in electrical connectionwith the first switch contact part in the second angular and axialposition of the rotary switch actuator, and out of connection from thefirst switch contact part in the first angular and axial position of therotary switch actuator.

The invention according to a second aspect thereof resides in anelectric switch, comprising, in combination, a support, a rotary switchactuator threaded on the support for rotary and axial movement relativeto the support, a first switch contact part on the support, a secondswitch contact part on the rotary switch actuator, and a third switchcontact part coupled to the rotary switch actuator and in electricalconnection with the first switch contact part and out of connection fromthe second switch contact part in a first angular and axial position ofthe rotary switch actuator, and in electrical connection with the secondswitch contact part, and out of connection from the first switch contactpart in a second angular and axial position of the rotary switchactuator.

It is an object of an invention herein disclosed and claimed to providean improved electric light source.

The light source according to that invention comprises, in combination,a reflector having a focal point, a first electric lamp having afilament at that focal point, and a second electric lamp extending intothat reflector on a side of the first electric lamp. The second electriclamp may have its own refractive lens.

It is an object of an invention herein disclosed and claimed to providebattery-powered apparatus for holding and energizing an electrictransducer producing an output from a battery current.

The apparatus according to that invention comprises, in combination, ahand-held battery housing having a pair of spaced internal batteryterminal contacts, a transducer housing in the form of a block ofelectrically conductive material threaded to the battery housing, and aswitched electric transducer energizing circuit between the internalbattery terminal contacts and the electric transducer. That block ofelectrically conductive material may have a reflector surface for thetransducer.

It is an object of an invention herein disclosed and claimed to providean improved flashlight.

That invention resides, in combination, in a light source having a base,a light source energizing circuit having an electric switch for a lightsource in that energizing circuit, a part of that switch releasablyfastened outside of said base to a support for that part of the switch,and the light source mounted on that part, whereby the light source isdisposable with that part of the switch on which it is mounted. Theinvention may extend to a replacement for that part of the switch, and areplacement light source mounted on the replacement for that part of theswitch.

Another invention herein disclosed resides in an electric light source,comprising, in combination, a reflector having a focal point, a firstelectric lamp having a filament at that focal point, a second electriclamp extending into that reflector on a side of the first electric lamp,a battery, and a switching arrangement interconnected between thatbattery and the first electric lamp in a first position, andinterconnected between that same battory and the second electric lamp ina second position of that switching arrangement.

No recitation of any feature or element in any preamble of any claim isintended to have any prior-art connotation, especially if suchrecitation serves to provide one or more antecedents for any feature orelement in the body of a claim.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject inventions and their various aspects and objects will becomemore readily apparent from the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate likeor equivalent parts, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section of a flashlight embodying inventionsherein disclosed;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing lamp module and tailcapassemblies in advanced axial positions;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are circuit diagrams of transducer energizing and batterycharging circuits according to embodiments of an invention hereindisclosed;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an electric switch incorporated by way ofexample in the front end assembly of the flashlight of FIGS. 1 and 2,and embodying inventions herein disclosed; and

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an electric switch incorporated by way ofexample in the rear end assembly of the battery housing of theflashlight of FIGS. 1 and 2, and embodying inventions herein disclosed.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTIONS

The drawings show battery-powered apparatus 10 for holding andenergizing an electric transducer producing an output from a batterycurrent. One or more batteries 11 may be held in the battery housing.Apparatus within the scope of the invention include flashlights, laserpointers, electrically powered tools, and other devices. Accordingly,the transducer may include one or more light bulbs 12 and/or 13, laserdiodes or other battery energized light sources, electric screw driversor other torque converters, or other electric actuated tools or devices.The output correspondingly may be a high or low beam or other lightoutput 14 and/or 15, or a torque or other physical quantity, but nolimitation in this respect is intended hereby.

The apparatus 10 has a hand-held battery housing 16 carrying atransducer mount 17. A first internal battery terminal contact 18 islocated at the transducer mount. A second internal battery terminalcontact 19 is remote from the transducer mount, as seen, for instance,in FIG. 1. An electric transducer energizing circuit 20 may extendbetween the internal battery terminal contacts 18 and 19 and theelectric transducer 12 or transducers 12 and 13.

The apparatus further includes a battery charging circuit 21 and 22having a first external battery charge terminal 23 on the transducermount 17 and a second external battery charge terminal 24 on a part ofthe battery housing, such as more fully disclosed below.

The apparatus moreover includes an electric switching arrangement in theelectric transducer energizing circuit 20 and in the battery chargingcircuit 21 and/or 22 and interconnected between one of the internalbattery terminal contacts 18 and 19 and the electric transducer 12 inone position and interconnected between corresponding ones of theseinternal battery terminal contacts and of the external battery chargeterminals 23 and 24 and disconnected from the electric transducer 12 inanother position of that switching arrangement.

In particular, the apparatus 10 has a double-throw switch 26 having acommon element 27 electrically connected to one of the first and secondinternal battery terminal contacts, such as the internal batteryterminal contact 19 as in FIG. 1. That switch also has a first switchedcontact 28 leading to a first terminal of the electric transducer, suchas via the transducer energizing circuit 20. That switch 26 further hasan opposite second switched contact 29 electrically connected to one ofthe first and second external battery charge terminals, such as to theexternal battery charge terminal 24 as shown in FIG. 1.

In practice, the switch 26 may be located either at the transducer mount17 or remote from the transducer mount as shown in FIG. 1.

Accordingly, an actuator for that switch may include either thetransducer mount 17 or part of the battery housing. In legal terms,therefore, an actuator for the switch 26 includes one of the transducermount 17 and part of the battery housing movable relatively to eachother, such as more fully disclosed below. Current-conducting pathsbetween the other of the first and second internal battery terminalcontacts 18 and 19 and the other of the first and second externalbattery charge terminals 23 and 24 and a second terminal of the electrictransducer 12 are provided for completing the alternative transducerenergizing circuit 20 and the battery charging circuit 21 and 22.

As little as one switch may be provided within the scope of theinvention. However, according to the illustrated embodiment of theinvention, a second switch 30 is connected in series with thedouble-throw switch 26 and the electric transducer 12 or transducers 12and 13 as more fully described below. A push-button on/off switch mayalso be combined with either of the switches 26 and 30 or may otherwisebe in the transducer energizing circuit 20.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the batteryhousing 16 has a barrel 31 and an end cap 32 movable relative to thatbarrel, and that movable end cap is the above mentioned part of thebattery housing having the second external battery charge terminal 24and being the actuator for the double-throw switch 26.

By way of example, the end cap 32 is of electrically conductive materialhaving an exposed portion constituting one external battery chargeterminal 24 on an outside of that end cap and connected to the secondswitched contact 29 through and by the electrically conductive materialfrom an inside of the end cap to the exposed portion on the outside ofthat end cap 32.

The electrically conductive end cap 32 is electrically insulated fromthe barrel 31. Part of the end cap may be of electrically insulatingmaterial for this purpose or may have a coating of electricallyinsulating material.

Alternatively or additionally, the barrel may be coated withelectrically insulating material.

In this respect, the barrel 31, including its internal and externalthreads should be considered coated with a layer of electricallyinsulating material 33 which, for instance, may be an anodization layerif the barrel is of aluminum. To avoid cluttering of the drawings, thatlayer has only been shown partially by dashed lines at 33 in FIG. 1, butshould be understood to cover particularly the internal and externalthreads at the barrel ends.

Alternatively or additionally, at least the external thread of thetransducer mount 17 and the internal thread of the end cap 32 may beanodized or otherwise coated with a layer of electrically insulatingmaterial (not shown to avoid crowding).

The first external battery charge terminal 23 on the transducer mount iselectrically connected through that transducer mount 17 to the firstinternal battery terminal contact 18, such as through a conductor 52.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the transducermount 17 is of electrically conductive material constituting the firstexternal battery charge terminal 23 on an outside of that transducermount and connected to the first internal battery terminal contact 18through and by that electrically conductive material from an inside ofthat transducer mount to the outside of that transducer mount.

Where the transducer mount is anodized or otherwise provided with acoating of insulating material, such coating is removed to provide theexternal battery charge terminal 23, and is also removed for contactwith the conductor 52 that leads to the battery terminal contact 18.

In practice, both the first and second battery charge terminals 23 and24 may be blank portions of the transducer mount 17 and the end cap 32,respectively.

According to what may also be a separate invention applicable to allkinds of flashlights and other transducer apparatus, the transducermount 17 is in the form of a block of electrically conductive materialthreaded to the battery housing 16 and connected to the first internalbattery terminal contact 18. That block of electrically conductivematerial 17 preferably has a reflector surface 36 for the transducer 12or output 14.

The switch actuator 17 or 32 is threaded to the battery housing 16 orbarrel 31 for rotary and axial movement relative to that battery housingor barrel. The expression “threaded to” in this respect is intended tobe broad enough to cover “threaded in” as in the case of the transducermount 17, “threaded on” as in the case of the end cap 32, to name twoexamples.

Even though the switch 26 may be associated with the threaded orrotatable transducer mount 17, its elements are specifically shown forthe case in which the threaded switch actuator is a threaded end cap 32of the battery housing.

In particular, the double-throw switch 26 has a common element 27coupled to the threaded switch actuator 32 and in electrical connectionwith the first switched contact 28 and out of connection from the secondswitched contact 29 in the first angular and axial position of thethreaded switch actuator shown in FIG. 1.

In that case, the transducer energizing circuit 20 is connected to thesecond battery terminal contact 19 via the common switch element 27 heldby the screwed-on end cap 32 via a lip or annulus 132 in engagement withthe first switched contact 28 located on a portion of the batteryhousing 16 such as the preferably electrically conductive barrel 27,against the bias of the second battery terminal contact or spring 19.

The switch 26 may thus be used to turn at least the transducer 12 on andoff by rotation and counterrotation of the end cap 32, unless there isanother switch 30 in series therewith for that purpose. However, theswitch 26 in either case has the important purpose of positivelydisconnecting any transducer 12 or 13 from the battery 11 so as toprevent any battery charging current at its typically higher batterycharging voltage from reaching and thereby endangering any transducer 12and 13.

Accordingly, if the common switch element 27 is in electrical connectionwith the second switched contact 29 in the second angular and axialposition of the threaded switch actuator shown in FIG. 2, then itpositively is out of connection from the first switched contact 28.

A push-button on/off actuator 127 may be coupled to or integral with thecommon switch element 27 in circumvention of the threaded switchactuator or end cap 32. According to FIG. 1, the common switch element27 has a manually engageable portion 127 extending through an aperturein the end cap or its annulus 132. The expression “manually engageable”is intended to be broad enough to cover engagement through a sealingdiaphragm 327 or similar device that may be part of the resulting on/offpush-button shown in FIG. 1 and schematically in FIGS. 3 and 4 at 127.

At least the transducer 12 may thus be flashed on by depression of thepush-button 127 and thereby of the common switch element 27 intoengagement with the first switched contact 28 on the transducerenergizing circuit 20. However, even then is that common element 27positively disconnected from the battery charging circuit 22 at thesecond switched contact 29 as seen in FIG. 1.

In particular, the illustrated second switched contact 29 preferably iscoupled to the threaded switch actuator or end cap 32. That secondswitched contact preferably is in the threaded end cap and the commonelement 27 is between the first and second switched contact 28 and 29and is coupled to the threaded end cap 32.

The second switched contact preferably has a conducting resilientportion, such as in the form of a second spring 129. The preferreddouble-throw switch 26 includes an insulating spacer 37 maintaining theresilient portion 129 and thereby the second switched contact 29 out ofconnection from said common element 27 in the first angular and axialposition of the threaded switch actuator as shown in FIG. 1. The secondspring or resilient portion 129 acts on the insulating spacer 37, suchas on its lateral projections 237 seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6. In thisrespect, the common switch element 27 also has one or more lateralprojections 227 where it engages the first switched contact 28 in theposition shown in FIG. 1 or alternatively the second switched contact 29in the position shown in FIG. 2. The projections 227 ride incorresponding slots 137 of the insulating spacer 37. The height of thelateral projection or projections of the electrically conductive commonswitch element 27 is less in axial direction than the height of thelateral projections of the insulating spacer 37, whereby that insulatingspacer is able to keep the second switched contact 29 away from thecommon switch element 27 in the first position of the threaded cap 32shown in FIG. 1.

On the other hand, the threaded switch actuator or end cap 32 releasesthe common element 27 into electrical connection with the conductingresilient portion 129 or second switched contact 29 in circumvention ofthe insulating spacer 37 upon actuation to the second angular and axialposition shown in FIG. 2. The spring of the second internal batteryterminal contact 19 may for this purpose be stronger than the spring 129of the second switched contact 29.

The schematic of FIG. 3 may now be considered. The battery 11 is shownas inserted in the battery housing or barrel 31 with the positive andnegative battery terminals 111 and 211 in electric contact with theinternal positive and negative battery terminal receiving contacts 18and 19, respectively.

As apparent from FIG. 3, the electric switching arrangement 26 is in theelectric transducer energizing circuit 20 and in the battery chargingcircuit 22 and is interconnected between the second internal batteryterminal contact 19 and the electric transducer 12 in one position 41 ofits common switch element 27, and is interconnected between that secondinternal battery terminal contact 19 and the second external batterycharge terminals 24 in another position 42 of that common element 27 ofswitching arrangement 26, while being then positively disconnected fromthe transducer energizing circuit.

In this manner, the presently disclosed aspect of the invention achievesthe important goal of:

-   -   a. keeping any transducer 12, 13, etc., isolated from any and        all battery chargers and charging current, even if the user        accidentally turns on a second transducer energizing switch        (e.g. 30); and    -   b. keeping any second transducer energizing switch (e.g. 30) out        of the battery charging circuit (e.g. 21 and 22), thereby        avoiding the need of users having to set two switches in series        before charging can take place and thereby avoiding the charging        current limitations imposed by prior-art systems which charge        through a flashlight filament.    -   c. while leading any and all battery charging currents through        parts 21 and 22 of the apparatus 10, without the need of any        electrodes, wires and the like that would have to be        electrically insulated from the apparatus part through which the        particular electrode or wire proceeds, and    -   d. while also avoiding a shorting of any battery charger through        any faulty switch position.

By way of example, the switch 26 may be a single-pole double-throwswitch, with or without an open third position for deenergization of thetransducer or of the battery charging circuit in alternate switchpositions 41 and 42. In this respect, the expression “double throw” isintended to be broad enough to cover “triple-throw” or “multithrow.”

A push-button on/off switch 127 for the transducer 12 or transducers 12and 13 may also be in the electric transducer energizing circuit 20,such as in a third position 43 of the switching arrangement 26, in whichcase the switch 26 may be a triple-throw switch, such as shown in FIGS.3 and 4. In this respect, the common element 27 may have a third or restposition which is symbolically illustrated at 43 in FIGS. 3 and 4 andwhich in the illustrated embodiment would be between the first switchedcontact 28 and the second switched contact 29 in a third angular andaxial position of the threaded switch actuator 32 or in between thefirst position shown in FIG. 1 and the second position shown in FIG. 2.

The switching arrangement 26 may be implemented at or about the locationof the switch 30, such as in the context of the battery charge terminal23, in which case the other battery charge terminal 24 may be directlyconnected to the battery terminal contact or spring 19.

Within the scope of the invention, the switch 30 may be omitted,especially if there is only one transducer, and the switch 26 may thenperform the function of a first switching arrangement in the electrictransducer energizing circuit 20, such as when the switch 26 is inposition 41 or 43, and the function of a second switching arrangement inthe battery charging circuit 22, such as when the switch 26 is in itsposition 42.

On the other hand, the switch 30 may be provided in the electrictransducer energizing circuit 20 in series with the switch 26, wherebythe user has the option to switch the transducer either with the switch30 or with the switch 26 with or without an on-off push-button 36 or127. As seen in FIG. 3, the switch 30 may then be a simple on/off switchin series with the first switched contact 28 of the double- ortriple-throw switch 26.

The switch 30 is particularly useful if the electric transducer includesa first transducer element 12 providing a first output 14, and a secondtransducer element 13 providing a different second output 15, such asshown in FIGS. 1 and 4 or otherwise. In that case, the first electricswitching arrangement may include an at least two-position transducerelement electric switch 30 interconnected between the electrictransducer energizing circuit 20 and the first transducer element 12 ina first position 45, and interconnected between that electric transducerenergizing circuit and the second transducer element 13 in a secondposition 46 of that transducer element electric switch 30.

The switch 30 may be a rotary switch and may in fact be actuated byrotation or angular movement of the transducer mount 17 which may bethreaded to the battery housing 16 or hand-held barrel 31 by matingthreads 48 which preferably are electrically insulated from each other.A similarity to the cap 32 which is threaded onto that hand-held barrel31 of the battery housing 16 by mating threads 49 which preferably areelectrically insulated from each other may be noted in this respect.

FIGS. 3 and 4 by way of example indicate possible angular positions ofthe end cap 32 and of the transducer mount 17 relative to the barrel 31for different switch positions 41 to 43 and 45 to 47 and 147 in terms ofdegrees of angular movement.

In addition to or even apart from, what has been disclosed so far, theelectric switch 26 may be seen as an embodiment of yet anotherinvention, comprising, in combination, a support 16, a rotary switchactuator 32 threaded on that support for rotary and axial movementrelative to that support, a first switch contact part 28 on thatsupport, a second switch contact part 29 on or in the rotary switchactuator, and a third switch contact part 27 coupled to that rotaryswitch actuator 32 and in electrical connection with the first switchcontact part 28 and out of connection from the second switch contactpart 29 in a first angular and axial position 41 of the rotary switchactuator, and in electrical connection with the second switch contactpart 29, and out of connection from the first switch contact part 28 ina second angular and axial position 42 of the rotary switch actuator 32.

The push-button on/off actuator 127 may be coupled to the third switchcontact part 27 in circumvention of the rotary switch actuator 32. Byway of example, the third contact part 27 and the push-button 127 may beintegral in the form of a plunger, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The second switch contact part 29 may have a conducting resilientportion. By way of example, the second switch contact part may be aspring at 129 abutting and in electrical contact with an exposedinternal surface of the electrically conductive end cap or rotary switchactuator 32 leading to the battery charging electrode 24.

The electric switching arrangement 26 preferably includes an insulatingspacer 37 maintaining the resilient portion 29 or spring 129 out ofconnection from the third switch contact part 27 in the first angularand axial position 41 of the rotary switch actuator 32. That spring 129or resilient portion 29 acts on the insulating spacer 37, such as bybiasing the same against the battery housing 16 or its part 28. Sincethe lateral lug or lugs 237 of the insulating spacer 37 is or are longerin an axial direction than the lateral lug or lugs 227 of the thirdswitch contact part 27, these insulating spacer lugs keep the secondswitch contact part spaced from the lugs of the third switch contactpart, and the end cap 32 and its external electrode 24 are disconnectedor isolated from the battery 11 or battery terminal 19 as long as theend cap or rotary actuator is in its first angular and axial position41. In that case, the battery terminal 19 is connected via plunger 127,third contact part 27, its conductive lugs 227, switch contact 28,conductive housing 16 to the switch 30 for selective energization of thetransducer 12 or 13.

Conversely, the rotary switch actuator 32 releases the third switchcontact part 27 into electrical connection with the conducting resilientportion 29 in circumvention of the insulating spacer 37 upon actuationto the second angular and axial position 42. In that case, the end capor actuator 32 and its electrode 24 are connected to the batteryterminal 19 for a charging of the battery via electrode or terminal 24,end cap or actuator 32, resilient second switch, contact part 129-29,third switch contact part 27 at lugs 227, and battery terminal 19.

Most importantly, that third switch contact part 27 is positivelydisconnected from the first switch contact part 28 and thus from thetransducers 12 and 13 in that second angular and axial position 42 ofthe rotary end cap or switch actuator 32. In this manner, damage of thetransducers 12 and 13 from any battery charger is safely avoided. Also,the battery charging current is not limited by any transducerresistance. Moreover, no battery charger can be damaged through anyfaulty switch position on or in the flashlight or other apparatus.

The third switch contact part 27 preferably has rest position betweenthe first switch contact part 28 and the second switch contact part 29in a third angular and axial position 43 of the rotary switch actuator28. In that rest position, the third contact part 27 or its lugs 227 arespaced from both the first contact part 28 and the second contact part29. However, the electric switching arrangement 26 preferably includes apush-button or other linear switch actuator 127 connected to or integralwith the third switch contact part 27 to turn the transducer 12 or 13 onand off by depression and release of that actuator 127.

In general terms it may be said that the switch 26 includes a spring 19biasing the third switch contact part 27 away from said first contactpart 2E. That spring may or may not be a battery terminal, depending onthe use to which the switch is put.

The third switch contact part 27 has spaced contact portions engagingthe first switch contact part 28 against a bias of the spring 19 in thefirst angular and axial position 41 of the rotary switch actuator 32,and engaging the second switch contact part 29 in the second angular andaxial position 42 of that rotary switch actuator 32. The insulatingspacer 37 is between the second and third switch contact parts 29 and 27in the first angular and axial position 41 of the rotary switch actuator32 and in any third angular and axial position 43 of that rotary switchactuator 32 between its first and second angular and axial positions 41and 42. The spacer 37 preferably has or is in the form of a sleeveisolating and insulating the plunger part of the third contact part 27also from the end cap or rotary switch actuator 32, as may be seen fromFIGS. 1, 2 and 6.

The battery-operated apparatus may be a flashlight 10 comprising a lightsource 12 or 13 having a base 81 or a similar base around leads 72 and73, and a light source-energizing circuit 20 having an electric switch30 for a light source, such as 12 or 13 in that energizing circuit. Apart of that switch is releasably fastened outside of such base to asupport for that part of the switch 30. While the embodiment orinvention currently being described is applicable to all kinds offlashlights and switches, FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 show a switch part or contactcarrier 54 as releasably fastened to a support or mount 17, such as witha screw or other fastener 55 that preferably is insulated from anyswitch contact 53, such as with the aid of an insulating washer 155, orby making the fastener 55 of insulting material.

The light source 12 or 13 is mounted on the part such as 54, wherebythat light source is disposable with that part of the switch on which itis mounted.

Accordingly, if the light source 12 and 13 burns out, the switch supportor transducer mount 17 may be unscrewed, the fastener removed, and theburned-out light source 12 and/or 13 discarded along with the switchpart, such as 54, on which it is mounted.

FIG. 2 as against FIG. 1, for instance, may be taken as showing areplacement for the part 54 of the switch, and a replacement lightsource 12 and/or 13 mounted on that replacement for that part of theswitch 30, since the parts 54 and light sources 12 and/or 13 areidentical in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Indeed, it is a special advantage of the currently discussed aspect ofthe invention that the light sources and their replacement 12 may bepre-focused on their supporting switch parts 54 with respect to thereflector 36, so that simple manipulation of a fastener 55 will sufficeto have a fresh light source focused in its place in the reflector 36 bysimple tightening of the fastener 55. This in contrast to thoseprior-art flashlights in which the light output deteriorates when alight bulb is replaced, since the filament of the replacement bulbfrequently is out of focus with the reflector.

Where the switch 30 has a switch actuator 17 for the part 54 on whichthe light source 12 or 13 is mounted, that part of the switch may bemounted on that switch actuator as the above mentioned support.

Where the flashlight has a reflector module 17, the part 54 of theswitch may be mounted on that reflector module 17 as the above mentionedsupport, and the light source 12 or 13 extends into that reflectormodule, which may be a switch actuator for the part 54 on which thelight source 12 or 13 is mounted.

By way of example, the battery housing 16 or barrel 31 may be seen as amodule support bearing the reflector module 17, with that reflectormodule being movable relatively to that module support 31. The switch 30then may have a first contact 62 on that module support 31 and in thelight source energizing circuit 20. The part 54 of the switch may have asecond contact 53 in engagement with that first contact 62 in the firstposition of the reflector module 17 shown in FIG. 1 relative to themodule support 31, but disengaged from that first contact 62 in thesecond position of the reflector module 17 shown in FIG. 2 relative tothe module support 31. The light source 12 is connected to that secondcontact 53 in the light source energizing circuit 20.

The disposable part 54 of the switch has a third contact 52 or 18 in thelight source energizing circuit 20, and the light source 12 may beconnected between such second and third contacts, such as via leads 58and 59. The reflector module 17 may be threaded to the module support31, such as at 48, for rotational and axial movement relative to thatmodule support, and the first position, such as shown in FIG. 1, is afirst rotational and axial position of that reflector module 17 relativeto the module support 31, whilst the second position shown in FIG. 2 isa second rotational and axial position of that reflector module 17relative to its module support 31.

The reflector 36 preferably is a parabolic reflector for optimized orhigh power light output 14 of the lamp 12.

If different light outputs 14 and 15 are desired, a light bulb withhigh-beam and low-beam filaments could be used. However, according tothe preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the flashlighthas two separate lamps 12 and 13, one high power, the other low power,and both lamps are mounted in a single reflector 36, with the higherpower lamp 12 mounted in a central opening in the reflector and havingits filament 112 located at the focus of the reflector, and thus havingits beam 14 focused by that reflector, and the lower power lamp 13 beingmounted off to the side of the high power lamp 12 in a second opening inthe reflector and thus out of focus in the reflector 36. In consequence,the low power lamp 13 does not use the reflector to focus its beam 15,but instead may use a lens 117 on the front of the transducer mount 17.According to a preferred embodiment of this aspect of the invention,there is a refractive lens 213 for the second or low power lamp 13,which may be directly on that lamp for focusing its beam. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the lower power lamp 13 is oriented for generating itslight beam 15 along a generally similar direction as the light beam 14of the higher power lamp 12. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, thehigher and lower power lamps 12 and 13 may be oriented substantiallyparallel to one another, pointing in substantially the same direction.As further shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower power lamp 13 is recessedin its reflector opening with its refractive lens 213 exposed in thereflector 36, preferably with its refractive lens 213 adjacent to thereflector 36 at the reflector opening in which the lower power lamp 13is recessed.

Compared to using a single lamp with two filaments, which will produce awell-focused narrow beam from one filament and a very poorly focusedirregular beam with dark rings and spots from the other filament, theillustrated preferred embodiment not only produces a well-focused narrowbeam 14 from the higher power lamp 12, but also can produce awell-focused but broad beam 15 from the lower powered lamp 13.

According to the invention presently under consideration, an electriclight source comprises a reflector 36 having a focal point (at 112), afirst electric lamp 12 having a filament 112 at that focal point, and adifferent second electric lamp 13 extending into that reflector 36 on aside of the first electric lamp 12, such as shown in FIG. 1, forinstance. There also may be a refractive lens 213 for the secondelectric lamp 13, but not for both lamps. As seen in FIG. 1, the lens213 is on the second or low-beam lamp 13 only, and the component 117 isonly a flat reflector cover backed by a sealing O-ring and retained by afront-end cap or bezel 217. In that manner, the second lamp 13 has aclearly defined output 15 as well, without the prior-art light and darkring pattern and other discontinuities.

Where the electric light source has a moveable housing, such as thetransducer mount 17, and first and second lamps 12 and 13, the switchingarrangement 30 may have a switch actuator coupled to that moveablehousing or transducer mount 17. For example, if the lamp housing isrotatable in the battery housing 16, such as through mating threads 48,the switching arrangement 30 may be a rotary switch coupled to andactuated by rotation of the lamp housing between first, second and thirdpositions 45, 46, 47, for instance.

FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 show a special switch 30 that may be used in theflashlight or other apparatus 10. That switch 30 may be used with asingle light bulb, filament or other transducer 12 or for two suchtransducers 12 and 13.

The switch 21 according to FIGS. 1 and 5 comprises two contact discs 52and 53 of which one, such as the disc 52, may be considered the positivecontact disc, and the other, such as the disc 53, may be considered thenegative contact disc, depending, however, on the polarity ororientation of the battery 11, which is shown with the positive batteryterminal 111 in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, and with the negative terminal 211 inFIGS. 1 and 2. The disc 53 may be considered the switching disc.

A disc carrier or insulating disc 54 is sandwiched between the contactdiscs 52 and 53 of the special switch 30. The insulating disc preferablyhas a protrusion 56 which extends through the preferably annularswitching disc 53 and which receives in this case the positive batteryterminal 111. The above mentioned internal battery terminal contact 18is on a protrusion or prong 57 of the transducer disc 52 forming part ofthe transducer energizing circuit.

When the switch 30 is assembled and the battery 11 inserted, the prongor internal battery contact 18 contacts the battery pole or terminal 111in the battery housing 16.

The one transducer 12 has a lead 58 welded or otherwise connected to thetransducer disc 52 which is electrically contacted by the positiveterminal 111 of the battery 11 at the bent central protrusion of thatdisc. That protrusion 57 or battery terminal contact 18 and the terminal111 of the battery 11 touch each other through the center apertures ofthe outer contact disc 53 and of the insulator disc 54 and are held incontact by virtue of spring pressure constantly applied to the negativeend 211 of the battery pack by the spring 19 of the other batteryterminal contact.

The other lead 59 of the one transducer 12 extends through apertures inthe transducer disc 52 and in the insulating disc 54 to the switchingdisc 53 to which it is welded or otherwise connected.

When the transducer mount 17 is screwed-in snugly, the outer contactdisc 53 to which the second lead 59 of the transducer is affixed, willelectrically contact the battery housing 16 or transducer energizingcircuit 20 through the uninsulated annular ridge 62 at the base of theinternal threads 48 of the transducer mount receptacle or barrel 31. Theone transducer 12 is thus energized by the battery 11 if the otherswitch 26 is in its first position 41, or if that other switch 26 is inits second position 43 and the push-button 127 is depressed, or if thereis no other switch 26 and the internal battery terminal contact 19 isdirectly connected to the battery housing or transducer energizingcircuit, such as through the end cap 32. In that case, the switch 30might be the only switch of the transducer, with or without an on/offpush button.

This illustrated embodiment expresses an underlying broader inventionthat has utility not only with flashlights and other transducerapparatus, but also in other applications where switching is required.

According to the invention presently under consideration, the electricswitch 30 comprises a support 16, and a transducer mount or other rotaryswitch actuator 17 threaded to that support, such as at 48, for rotaryand axial movement relative to that support. A first switch contact part62 is on the support 16, such as in the form of an exposed portion on anotherwise anodized or insulated aluminum or other electricallyconductive body, or such as in the form of a contact on an insulatingbody or support.

The switch 30 also includes a second switch contact part 53 coupled tothe rotary switch actuator 17 and in electrical connection with thefirst switch contact part 62 in a first angular and axial position 45 ofthe rotary switch actuator, and out of connection from that first switchcontact part in a second angular and axial position 46 of the rotaryswitch actuator 17. The switch 30 further includes a third switchcontact part 75 coupled to the rotary switch actuator and in electricalconnection with the first switch contact part 62 in the second angularand axial position 46 of the rotary switch actuator, and out ofconnection from that first switch contact part 62 in the first angularand axial position 45 of the rotary switch actuator 17.

According to an embodiment, the second and third switch contact parts 53and 75 are out of connection from the first switch contact part 62 in athird angular and axial position 47 of the rotary switch actuator 17.

In this respect, FIG. 4 also indicates a position 147 between thepositions 45 and 46. That position 147 may in fact be the third angularand axial position at which the switch contact parts 53 and 75 are outof connection from the first switch contact part 62. That intermediateposition 147 thus may be an OFF position of the switch 30, at which bothtransducers or lamps 12 and 13 are deenergized. The above mentionedthird position 47 may then not be necessary.

By way of example, the position 147 may be implemented as an OFFposition by making the disc 53 flat so that it will disengage the firstcontact 62 and thereby interrupt energization of the lamp 12 before theactuator 78 permits the third contact 75 to engage the first contact 62,such as shown in FIG. 2 or at position 46 in FIG. 4.

Both lamps 12 and 13 thus would be deenergized at that point. Inpractice, this may not be desirable, since it could confuse the user orprovide an opportunity for a supposedly switched-off flashlight toswitch itself “on” through a relatively slight accidental motion betweenits transducer mount 17 and barrel 31, thereby unnecessarily drainingthe battery.

Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention energizes bothlamps during the transition between the first and second rotationalpositions of the switch actuator or rotary transducer mount 17. By wayof example, the contact disc 53 may be provided with a protrusion ortang 153 which axially protrudes toward the first switch contact part 62so as to maintain an electric contact between the switch contact parts53 and 62 when the switch actuator or transducer module 17 is rotatedaway from its first rotary and axial position 45 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

That tang or projection is shown as an arc 153 in FIG. 4, since itmaintains both contact parts 53 and 57 in contact with the first contactpart and thereby lamps 12 and 13 energized, while the switch 30 switchesthe flashlight 10 from one lamp 12 to the other lamp 13; that is, whilethe switch actuator or lamp mount 17 goes through its rotational andaxial position 147.

In this manner, the user, seeing both lamps 12 and 13 energized at thispoint, will realize that the module 17 has to be rotated further for thefirst lamp 12 to be turned off.

Of course, depending on the nature of the lamps or other transducers 12and 13, it may, indeed be useful to have both transducers energized fora compound output 14 and 15.

Nevertheless, the tang 153 is short enough in axial direction relativeto the third contact 75 and its actuator or lifter 78 for the firsttransducer or lamp 12 to be deenergized by movement of the tang 153 awayfrom the first contact part 62 when the mount 17 reaches its rotary andaxial position 46 for exclusive energization of the second transducer orlamp 13 until the mount 17 is rotated further, such as to its extremeposition 47.

As also shown in the illustrated embodiment, the switch contact actuator78 is coupled to the third switch contact part 75 and maintains thatthird switch contact part separated from the first switch contact part62 in the first angular and axial position 45 of the rotary switchactuator 17.

In the illustrated embodiment under consideration, the first and secondswitch contact parts 62 and 53 have arcuate portions matching in thefirst angular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator 17, suchas the annular disc 53 matching an annular or arcuate contact 62.

The third switch contact part may be in the form of, or include aprojecting electric contact 75 in engagement with the first switchcontact part 62 in the second angular and axial position 46 of therotary switch actuator, and including the switch contact actuator 78maintaining that projecting electric contact out of engagement from thefirst switch contact part 62 in the first angular and axial position 45of the rotary switch actuator 17.

That switch contact actuator 78 in particular may project from the thirdswitch contact part 69/75 toward the first switch contact part 62 inmechanical engagement with that first switch contact part in the firstangular and axial position 45 of the rotary switch actuator, maintainingthe projecting electric contact 75 out of engagement from that firstswitch contact part 62. Preferably, the second axial position 46 of therotary switch actuator 17 is more remote from the first switch contactpart 62 than the first axial position 45 of that rotary switch actuatorwhereby the switch contact actuator 78 is in disengagement from thefirst switch contact part 62 in the second rotary and axial position 46of the rotary switch actuator, and the projecting electric contact 75 ofthe third switch contact part is in electrical connection with the firstswitch contact part 62 in that second angular and axial position of therotary switch actuator 17.

The switch 30 may include a rotary contact carrier 54 of insulatingmaterial coupled to the rotary switch actuator 17 and bearing the secondand third switch contact parts 53 and 75 and its flexible support 69having an end remote from the free end at 75 attached to the carrier 54.The switch may include an electric terminal 18, with or without 52 and57, coupled to at least one of the rotary switch actuator 17 and therotary contact carrier 54.

The illustrated rotary contact carrier 54 has an aperture or hollowprotrusion 56 and the first, second and third switch contact parts 62,53, 69, 75 and 78 are clear of that aperture or hollow protrusion 56.The electric terminal 18 is contained within that aperture orhollow-cylindrical protrusion 56 in the rotary contact carrier 54.Accordingly, the electric terminal 18 either reaches through the openingat 56 to the battery terminal 111, or that battery terminal protrudesinto the hollow protrusion 56, meeting the switch terminal 18 therein.

In practice, the rotary switch actuator 17 may house an electric load,such as the transducer or lamp 12, connected to one of the second andthird switch contact parts 53 or 69/75 or even supported by one of thesecontact parts or by the contact carrier 54.

Moreover, that rotary contact carrier 54, coupled to the rotary switchactuator 17 and bearing the second and third switch contact parts 53 and69/75, may carry a further electric load 13 connected to the other ofthe second and third switch contact parts 53 or 69/75. The electricterminal 18 is coupled to at least one of the rotary switch actuator 17and the rotary contact carrier 54, such as via disc 52 and prong 57, andmay be connected to the electric loads 12 and 13.

The invention presently to be discussed resides in a battery-poweredapparatus 10 for holding and energizing a first electric transducer 12producing a first output 14, and a second electric transducer 13producing a different second output 15 from a battery current. Thatapparatus comprises a hand-held battery housing 16 mounting the firstand second electric transducers and having a pair of spaced internalbattery terminal contacts 18 and 19, and an electric transducerenergizing circuit 20 between the internal battery terminal contacts andthe first and second electric transducers 12 and 13, including anelectric switch 30. That electric switch comprises a rotary switchactuator 17 threaded on, in or otherwise to the battery housing forrotary and axial movement relative to that battery housing 16, a firstswitch contact part 62 on the battery housing, a second switch contactpart 53 coupled to the rotary switch actuator 29 and in electricalconnection with the first switch contact part 62 in a first angular andaxial position 45 of the rotary switch actuator, and out of connectionfrom that first switch contact part 62 in a second angular and axialposition 46 of the rotary switch actuator, and a third switch contactpart 75 coupled to the rotary switch actuator and in electricalconnection with the first switch contact part 62 in that second angularand axial position 46 of the rotary switch actuator, and out ofconnection from that first switch contact part in the first angular andaxial position 45 of the rotary switch actuator. The first switchcontact part 62 is connected to one of the internal battery terminalcontacts, such as to the terminal 19 through battery housing 16 andswitch 26.

The first electric transducer 12 has a first terminal at 59 connected tothe second switch contact part 53, and the second electric transducer 13has a first terminal at 72 connected to the third switch contact part75. These first and second electric transducers have second terminals at58 and 73 connected to the other internal battery terminal contact 18,such as via disc 52. In this respect, since FIG. 5 is an exploded view,particularly the electrically insulated leads 58, 59, and 73 have comeout somewhat longer in that exploded view, than as they are in reality,more realistically shown in the assembly drawings of FIGS. 1 and 2.

As already indicated above, the rotary contact carrier 54 bears at leastone of the electric transducers, lamps or loads 12 and 13. The rotaryswitch actuator 17 may be a transducer housing, such as in the form ofthe above mentioned block of material threaded to the battery housing 16and preferably having an internal or other reflector surface 36 for thetransducer or lamp 12.

Other features herein disclosed may be combined with this aspect of theinvention.

Where the light source, as here, includes first and second lamps 12 and13 mounted on the above mentioned part 54 of the switch 30, that part ofthe switch may include a first portion 53 in the energizing circuit 20for switched energization of the first lamp 12, and a second portion 75in that energizing circuit for switched energization of the second lamp13. That switch may have a switch actuator 17 for the first and secondportions 53 and 75 of the part 54 on which the first and second lamps 12and 13 are mounted. That part 54 of the switch may be mounted on theswitch actuator 17 as its support.

The flashlight may have a reflector module, such as shown at 17 and thepart 54 of the switch including the first and second portion 53 and 75may be mounted on that reflector module as a support of that part 54.The first and second lamps 12 and 13 extend into that reflector module17, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The reflector module 17 includes a reflector 36 having a focal point (at112). The first lamp 12 may have a filament 112 at that focal point,such as described above, while the second lamp 13 extends into thatreflector 36 on a side of the first lamp 12. There may be a refractivelens 213 for the second lamp 13 only.

The reflector module 17 may be a switch actuator for the first andsecond portions 53 and 75 of the part 54 on which the first and secondlamps 12 and 13 are mounted.

The barrel 31 may form or constitute a module support bearing thereflector module 17, and that reflector module may be movable relativelyto that module support. The switch 30 then may have a first contact 62on that module support 31 and in the light source energizing circuit 20.The above mentioned first portion of the part 54 of the switch has asecond contact 53 in engagement with the first contact 62 in a firstposition 45 of the reflector module 17 relative to its module supportand disengaged from that first contact in a second position of thereflector module relative to its module support. That second positionmay, for instance, be the position 147 when the tang 153 is not present,or the position 47 when that tang is present.

The second portion of part 54 of the switch has a third contact 75 inengagement with the first contact 62 in a third position 46 of saidreflector module 17 relative to the module support 31 and disengagedfrom that first contact 62 in another position of the reflector module17 relative to its module support. If there is a tang 153 and extraposition 147, the later third position may be the position 46. If thereis no tang 153, the latter other position may, for instance, be theposition 47 or 147. Alternatively, the latter second and third positionsmay be identical, such as at 46.

The first lamp 12 is connected to the second contact 53 in the lightsource energizing circuit, and the second lamp 12 is connected to thethird contact 75 in that light source energizing circuit 20.

The above mentioned part 54 of the switch may have a fourth contact 18in the light source energizing circuit 20, and the first lamp 12 is thenconnected between the second and fourth contacts 53 and 18, such as bywires 58 and 59, whist the second lamp 13 is connected between the thirdand fourth contacts 75 and 18, such as by wires 72 and 73.

Where the reflector module 17 is threaded to the module support 31 forrotational and axial movement relative to that module support, the firstposition is a first rotational and axial position 45 of the reflectormodule 17 relative to its module support 31, the second position may bea second rotational and axial position 46 or 47 of that reflector modulerelative to its module support and the third position may be a thirdrotational and axial position of the reflector module relative to thismodule support.

When either of the first and second lamps burns out, the screw 55 isremoved and the whole unit 12, 13, 18, 52, 53, 57, 69, 75, 78 isdiscarded and replaced by a like new unit. This will not only providefresh lamps 12 and 13, but also fresh contacts at 18, 53 and 75 forsuperior long-time performance of the flashlight or otherbattery-operated apparatus 10.

This in contrast to the deteriorating performance from progressivelycorroding switch contacts and battery terminal contacts of prior-artflashlights.

Also, the replaced light bulb 12 or filament 112 will be as well focusedas the light bulb or filament it replaces in the transducer mount 17 andreflector 36. For instance, when the replacement unit is manufactured,each bulb 12 may first be cemented or similarly fastened in a sleeve 81and such sleeve may be mounted on the switch carrier 54, or in itshollow part 56, and the focus of the filament 112 may be checked andrechecked during such manufacturing procedure.

1. Battery-powered apparatus for holding and energizing an electrictransducer producing an output from a battery current, comprising incombination: a transducer mount; a hand-held battery housing carryingthe transducer mount; a first internal battery terminal contact at thetransducer mount; a second internal battery terminal contact remote fromthe transducer mount; a first eternal battery charge terminal on thetransducer mount; a second external battery charge terminal on a part ofthe battery housing; a double-throw switch having a common elementelectrically connected to one of the first and second internal batteryterminal contacts, having a first switched contact leading to a firstterminal of the electric transducer, and having an opposite secondswitched contact electrically connected to one of the first and secondexternal battery charge terminals; an actuator for said switch includingone of said transducer mount and said part of the battery housingmovable relatively to each other; and current-conducting paths betweenthe other of the first and second internal battery terminal contacts andthe other of the first and second external battery charge terminals anda second terminal of the electric transducer.
 2. Apparatus as in claim1, including: a push-button actuator for said switch.
 3. Apparatus as inclaim 1, including: a second switch in series with said double-throwswitch and the electric transducer.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein:said battery housing includes a barrel and an end cap movable relativelyto the barrel; and said movable end cap is said part of the batteryhousing having said second external battery charge terminal and beingsaid actuator for the switch.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein: saidend cap is of electrically conductive material having an exposed portionconstituting said second external battery charge terminal on an outsideof said end cap and connected to said second switched contact throughand by said electrically conductive material from an inside of said endcap to said exposed portion on said outside of the end cap.
 6. Apparatusas in claim 5, wherein: said end cap is electrically insulated from saidbarrel.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 4, wherein: said switch includes aswitch actuating plunger having a manually engageable portion extendingthrough an aperture in said end cap.
 8. Apparatus as in claim 1,wherein: said first external battery charge terminal is electricallyconnected through said transducer mount to said first internal batteryterminal contact.
 9. Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein: said transducermount is of electrically conductive material constituting said firstexternal battery charge terminal on an outside of the transducer mountand connected to said first internal battery terminal contact throughand by said electrically conductive material from an inside of thetransducer mount to said outside of the transducer mount.
 10. Apparatusas in claim 1, wherein: said transducer mount is in the form of a blockof electrically conductive material threaded to the battery housing andconnected to said first internal battery terminal contact.
 11. Apparatusas in claim 10, wherein: said block of electrically conductive materialhas a reflector surface for the transducer.
 12. Apparatus as in claim10, wherein: said transducer mount is electrically insulated from saidbattery housing.
 13. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: said switchactuator is threaded to the battery housing for rotary and axialmovement relative to the battery housing; and said common element iscoupled to said threaded switch actuator and in electrical connectionwith the first switched contact and out of connection from the secondswitched contact in a first angular and axial position of the threadedswitch actuator, and in electrical connection with the second switchedcontact and out of connection from the first switched contact in asecond angular and axial position of the threaded switch actuator. 14.Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein: said threaded switch actuator is athreaded end cap of said battery housing.
 15. Apparatus as in claim 13,including: a push-button on/off actuator coupled to said common elementin circumvention of said threaded switch actuator.
 16. Apparatus as inclaim 13, wherein: said second switched contact has a conductingresilient portion; and said double-throw switch includes an insulatingspacer maintaining said resilient portion out of connection from saidcommon element in said first angular and axial position of the threadedswitch actuator; said resilient portion acting on said insulatingspacer; and said threaded switch actuator releasing said common elementinto electrical connection with said conducting resilient portion incircumvention of said insulating spacer upon actuation to said secondangular and axial position.
 17. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein: saidcommon element has a rest position between said first switched contactand said second switched contact in a third angular and axial positionof the threaded switch actuator.
 18. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein:said first switched contact is on a portion of the battery housing; andsaid second switched contact is coupled to the threaded switch actuator.19. Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein: said battery housing has a barreland said switch actuator is an end cap threaded on said barrel; saidfirst switched contact part is on an end of said barrel; said secondswitched contact is in the threaded end cap; and said common element isbetween said first and second switched contacts and is coupled to saidthreaded end cap.
 20. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein: said electrictransducer includes a first transducer element providing a first output,and a second transducer element providing a different second output; andsaid electric transducer energizing circuit includes an at leasttwo-position electric switch in series with said double-throw switch andwith said first transducer element in a first position, and with saidsecond transducer element in a second position of said at leasttwo-position electric switch.
 21. Battery-powered apparatus for holdingand energizing a first electric transducer producing a first output, anda second electric transducer producing a different second output from abattery current, comprising in combination: a hand-held battery housingmounting the first and second electric transducers and having a pair ofspaced internal battery terminal contacts; an electric transducerenergizing circuit between the internal battery terminal contacts andthe first and second electric transducers, including an electric switch,comprising a rotary switch actuator threaded to the battery housing forrotary and axial movement relative to the battery housing, a firstswitch contact part on the battery housing, a second switch contact partcoupled to the rotary switch actuator and in electrical connection withthe first switch contact part in a first angular and axial position ofthe rotary switch actuator, and out of connection from the first switchcontact part in a second angular and axial position of the rotary switchactuator, and a third switch contact part coupled to the rotary switchactuator and in electrical connection with the first switch contact partin the second angular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator,and out of connection from the first switch contact part in the firstangular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator; said firstswitch contact part connected to one of said internal battery terminalcontacts; said first electric transducer having a first terminalconnected to said second switch contact part; said second electrictransducer having a first terminal connected to said third switchcontact part; and said first and second electric transducers havingsecond terminals connected to the other internal battery terminalcontact.
 22. Apparatus as in claim 21, wherein: said second and thirdswitch contact parts are out of connection from the first switch contactpart in a third angular and axial position of the rotary switchactuator.
 23. Apparatus as in claim 21, wherein: said switch includes aswitch contact actuator coupled to the third switch contact part andmaintaining that third switch contact part separated from the firstswitch contact part in the first angular and axial position of therotary switch actuator.
 24. Apparatus as in claim 21, wherein: saidfirst and second switch contact parts have arcuate portions matching inthe first angular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator. 25.Apparatus as in claim 21, wherein: said third switch contact partincludes a projecting electric contact in engagement with the firstswitch contact part in the second angular and axial position of therotary switch actuator, and a switch contact actuator maintaining theprojecting electric contact out of engagement from the first switchcontact part in the first angular and axial position of the rotaryswitch actuator.
 26. Apparatus as in claim 25, wherein: said switchcontact actuator projects from the third switch contact part toward thefirst switch contact part in mechanical engagement with the first switchcontact part in the first angular and axial position of the rotaryswitch actuator maintaining the projecting electric contact out ofengagement from the first switch contact part; and wherein the secondaxial position of the rotary switch actuator is more remote from thefirst switch contact part than the first axial position of the rotaryswitch actuator whereby the switch contact actuator is in disengagementfrom the first switch contact part in the second rotary and axialposition of the rotary switch actuator and the projecting electriccontact of the third switch contact part is in electrical connectionwith the first switch contact part in that second angular and axialposition of the rotary switch actuator.
 27. Apparatus as in claim 21,including: a rotary contact carrier coupled to the rotary switchactuator and bearing the second and third switch contact parts. 28.Apparatus as in claim 27, including: said other internal batteryterminal contact coupled to at least one of said rotary switch actuatorand said rotary contact carrier.
 29. Apparatus as in claim 27, wherein:said rotary contact carrier has an aperture; said first, second andthird switch contact parts are clear of said aperture; and said otherbattery terminal contact projects at least into said aperture in therotary contact carrier.
 30. Apparatus as in claim 27, wherein: saidrotary contact carrier bears at least one of said electric transducers.31. Apparatus as in claim 21, wherein: said rotary switch actuator is atransducer housing.
 32. Apparatus as in claim 31, wherein: saidtransducer housing is in the form of a block of material threaded to thebattery housing.
 33. Apparatus as in claim 32, wherein: said block ofmaterial constitutes a transducer output reflector.
 34. Apparatus as inclaim 31, including: said other internal battery terminal contactcoupled to the transducer housing.
 35. Apparatus as in claim 21,including: a push-button on/off switch in said electric transducerenergizing circuit.
 36. Apparatus as in claim 21, including: a reflectorhaving a focal point; said first electric transducer being a firstelectric lamp having a filament at said focal point; and said secondelectric transducer being a second electric lamp extending into saidreflector on a side of said first electric lamp.
 37. Apparatus as inclaim 36, wherein: said reflector is in the rotary switch actuator. 38.An electric light source, comprising in combination: a reflector havinga focal point; a first electric lamp having a filament at said focalpoint; a second electric lamp extending into said reflector on a side ofsaid first electric lamp; and a refractive lens for said second electriclamp.
 39. An electric light source as in claim 38, including: a movablehousing for said reflector and first and second lamps; and saidaswitching arrangement having a switch actuator coupled to said movablehousing.
 40. An electric light source, comprising in combination: areflector having a focal point; a first electric lamp having a filamentat said focal point for generating a first light beam; a second electriclamp extending into said reflector on a side of said first electriclamp, said second electric lamp oriented for generating a second lightbeam along a generally similar direction as said first light beam; abattery; and a switching arrangement interconnected between said batteryand said first electric lamp in a first position, and interconnectedbetween that same battery and said second electric lamp in a secondposition of said switching arrangement.
 41. An electric light source asin claim 40, including: a movable housing for said reflector and firstand second lamps; said switching arrangement having a switch actuatorcoupled to said movable housing.
 42. An electric switch, comprising incombination: a support; a rotary switch actuator threaded to the supportfor rotary and axial movement relative to the support; a first switchcontact part on the support; a second switch contact part coupled to therotary switch actuator and in electrical connection with the firstswitch contact part in a first angular and axial position of the rotaryswitch actuator, and out of connection from the first switch contactpart in a second angular and axial position of the rotary switchactuator; and a third switch contact part coupled to the rotary switchactuator and in electrical connection with the first switch contact partin the second angular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator,and out of connection from the first switch contact part in the firstangular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator.
 43. Anelectric switch as in claim 42, wherein: said second and third switchcontact parts are out of connection from the first switch contact partin a third angular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator. 44.An electric switch as in claim 42, wherein: said switch includes aswitch contact actuator coupled to the third switch contact part andmaintaining that third switch contact part separated from the firstswitch contact part in the first angular and axial position of therotary switch actuator.
 45. An electric switch as in claim 42, wherein:said first and second switch contact parts have arcuate portionsmatching in the first angular and axial position of the rotary switchactuator.
 46. An electric switch as in claim 42, wherein: said thirdswitch contact part includes a projecting electric contact in engagementwith the first switch contact part in the second angular and axialposition of the rotary switch actuator, and a switch contact actuatormaintaining the projecting electric contact out of engagement from thefirst switch contact part in the first angular and axial position of therotary switch actuator.
 47. An electric switch as in claim 46, wherein:said switch contact actuator projects from the third switch contact parttoward the first switch contact part in mechanical engagement with thefirst switch contact part in the first angular and axial position of therotary switch actuator maintaining the projecting electric contact outof engagement from the first switch contact part; and wherein the secondaxial position of the rotary switch actuator is more remote from thefirst switch contact part than the first axial position of the rotaryswitch actuator whereby the switch contact actuator is in disengagementfrom the first switch contact part in the second rotary and axialposition of the rotary switch actuator and the projecting electriccontact of the third switch contact part is in electrical connectionwith the first switch contact part in that second angular and axialposition of the rotary switch actuator.
 48. An electric switch as inclaim 42, including: a rotary contact carrier coupled to the rotaryswitch actuator and bearing the second and third switch contact parts.49. An electric switch as in claim 48, including: an electric terminalcoupled to at least one of said rotary switch actuator and said rotarycontact carrier.
 50. An electric switch as in claim 49, wherein: saidrotary contact carrier has an aperture; said first, second and thirdswitch contact parts are clear of said aperture; and said electricterminal is contained within said aperture in the rotary contactcarrier.
 51. An electric switch as in claim 42, wherein: said rotaryswitch actuator houses an electric load connected to one of said secondand third switch contact parts.
 52. An electric switch as in claim 51,including: a rotary contact carrier coupled to the rotary switchactuator and bearing the second and third switch contact parts and afurther electric load connected to the other of the second and thirdswitch contact parts.
 53. An electric switch as in claim 52, including:an electric terminal coupled to at least one of said rotary switchactuator and said rotary contact carrier, and connected to said electricloads.
 54. An electric switch, comprising in combination: a support; arotary switch actuator threaded on the support for rotary and axialmovement relative to the support; a first switch contact part on thesupport; a second switch contact part on the rotary switch actuator; anda third switch contact part coupled to the rotary switch actuator and inelectrical connection with the first switch contact part and out ofconnection from the second switch contact part in a first angular andaxial position of the rotary switch actuator, and in electricalconnection with the second switch contact part, and out of connectionfrom the first switch contact part in a second angular and axialposition of the rotary switch actuator.
 55. Apparatus as in claim 54,including: a push-button on/off actuator coupled to the third switchcontact part in circumvention of said rotary switch actuator. 56.Apparatus as in claim 54, including: said second, switch contact parthas a conducting resilient portion; and said electric switch arrangementincludes an insulating spacer maintaining said resilient portion out ofconnection from said third switch contact part in said first angular andaxial position of the rotary switch actuator; said resilient portionacting on said insulating spacer; and said rotary switch actuatorreleasing said third switch contact part into electrical connection withsaid conducting resilient portion in circumvention of said insulatingspacer upon actuation to said second angular and axial position. 57.Apparatus as in claim 54, wherein: said third switch contact part hasrest position between said first switch contact part and said secondswitch contact part in a third angular and axial position of the rotaryswitch actuator.
 58. Apparatus as in claim 57, wherein: said electricswitching arrangement includes a linear switch actuator connected tosaid third switch contact part.
 59. An electric switch as in claim 54,including: a spring biasing said third switch contact part away fromsaid first contact part; said third switch contact part having spacedcontact portions engaging said first switch contact part against a biasof said spring in said first angular and axial position of the rotaryswitch actuator, and engaging said second switch contact part in saidsecond angular and axial position of the rotary switch actuator.
 60. Anelectric switch as in claim 59, including: an insulating spacer betweensaid second and third switch contact parts in said first angular andaxial position of the rotary switch actuator and in any third angularand axial position of the rotary switch actuator between said first andsecond angular and axial positions.
 61. Battery-powered apparatus forholding and energizing an electric transducer producing an output from abattery current, comprising in combination: a hand-held battery housinghaving a pair of spaced internal battery terminal contacts; a transducerhousing in the form of a block of electrically conductive materialthreaded to the battery housing and connected to one of said internalbattery terminal contacts; and a switched electric transducer energizingcircuit between the internal battery terminal contacts and the electrictransducer.
 62. Apparatus as in claim 61, wherein: said block ofelectrically conductive material has a reflector surface for thetransducer.
 63. Apparatus as in claim 61, wherein: said transducerhousing includes a first surface and a terminal connected to said firstsurface and to said electrically conductive material.
 64. In aflashlight, the improvement comprising in combination: a light sourcehaving a base; a light source energizing circuit having an electricswitch for a light source in said energizing circuit; a part of saidswitch releasably fastened outside of said base to a support for saidpart of the switch; and said light source mounted on said part, wherebysaid light source is disposable with said part of the switch on which itis mounted; a replacement for said part of the switch; and a replacementlight source mounted on said replacement for said part of the switch.65. A flashlight as in claim 64, wherein: said switch has a switchactuator for said part on which the light source is mounted; and saidpart of the switch is mounted on said switch actuator as said support.66. A flashlight as in claim 64, wherein: said flashlight has areflector module; said part of the switch is mounted on said reflectormodule as said support; and said light source extends into saidreflector module.
 67. A flashlight as in claim 66, wherein: saidreflector module is a switch actuator for said part on which the lightsource is mounted.
 68. A flashlight as in claim 66, including: a modulesupport bearing said reflector module; said reflector module movablerelatively to said module support; said switch having a first contact onsaid module support and in said light source energizing circuit; saidpart of the switch having a second contact in engagement with said firstcontact in a first position of said reflector module relative to saidmodule support and disengaged from said first contact in a secondposition of said reflector module relative to said module support; andsaid light source connected to said second contact in said light sourceenergizing circuit.
 69. A flashlight as in claim 68, wherein: said partof the switch has a third contact in said light source energizingcircuit; said light source connected between said second and thirdcontacts.
 70. A flashlight as in claim 68, wherein: said reflectormodule is threaded to said module support for rotational and axialmovement relative to said module support; said first position is a firstrotational and axial position of said reflector module relative to saidmodule support; and said second position is a second rotational andaxial position of said reflector module relative to said module support.71. A flashlight as in claim 64, wherein: said light source includesfirst and second lamps mounted on said part of the switch; said part ofthe switch includes a first portion in said energizing circuit forswitched energization of said first lamp, and a second portion in saidenergizing circuit for switched energization of said second lamp; saidswitch has a switch actuator for said first and second portions of saidpart on which said first and second lamps are mounted; and said part ofthe switch is mounted on said switch actuator as said support.
 72. Aflashlight as in claim 64, wherein: said light source includes first andsecond lamps mounted on said part of the switch; said part of the switchincludes a first portion in said energizing circuit for switchedenergization of said first lamp, and a second portion in said energizingcircuit for switched energization of said second lamp; said flashlighthas a reflector module; said part of the switch including said first andsecond portions is mounted on said reflector module as said support; andsaid first and second lamps extend into said reflector module.
 73. Aflashlight as in claim 72, wherein: said reflector module includes areflector having a focal point; said first lamp has a filament at saidfocal point; and said second lamp extends into said reflector on a sideof said first lamp.
 74. A flashlight as in claim 73, including: arefractive lens for said second lamp.
 75. A flashlight as in claim 72,wherein: said reflector module is a switch actuator for said first andsecond positions of said part on which said first and second lamps aremounted.
 76. A flashlight as in claim 72, including: a module supportbearing said reflector module; said reflector module movable relativelyto said module support; said switch having a first contact on saidmodule support and in said light source energizing circuit; said firstportion of said part of the switch having a second contact in engagementwith said first contact in a first position of said reflector modulerelative to said module support and disengaged from said first contactin a second position of said reflector module relative to said modulesupport; said second portion of said part of the switch having a thirdcontact in engagement with said first contact in a third position ofsaid reflector module relative to said module support and disengagedfrom said first contact in another position of said reflector modulerelative to said module support; said first lamp connected to saidsecond contact in said light source energizing circuit; and said secondlamp connected to said third contact in said light source energizingcircuit.
 77. A flashlight as in claim 76, wherein: said part of theswitch has a fourth contact in said light source energizing circuit;said first lamp connected between said second and fourth contacts; andsaid second lamp connected between said third and fourth contacts.
 78. Aflashlight as in claim 76, wherein: said reflector module is threaded tosaid module support for rotational and axial movement relative to saidmodule support; said first position is a first rotational and axialposition of said reflector module relative to said module support; saidsecond position is a second rotational and axial position of saidreflector module relative to said module support; and said thirdposition is a third rotational and axial position of said reflectormodule relative to said module support.
 79. An electric light source asin claim 38, wherein: said second electric lamp is oriented forgenerating a light beam along a generally similar direction as a lightbeam generated by said first electric lamp.
 80. An electric lightsource, comprising in combination: a reflector having a focal point; alens mounted in front of said reflector; a first electric lamp having afilament at said focal point for generating a first light beam; a secondelectric lamp extending into said reflector on a side of said firstelectric lamp, said second electric lamp oriented for generating asecond light beam through said lens along a generally similar directionas said first light beam; a battery; and a switching arrangementinterconnected between said battery and said first electric lamp in afirst position, and interconnected between that same battery and saidsecond electric lamp in a second position of said switching arrangement.81. An electric light source, comprising in combination: a reflectorhaving a focal point, said reflector further having first and secondopenings formed therein, said first opening located at the center ofsaid reflector, and said second opening located to the side of saidfirst opening; a first electric lamp positioned in said first opening insaid reflector and having a filament at said focal point; and a secondelectric lamp including a refractive lens, said second electric lamprecessed in said second opening in said reflector with said refractivelens of said second electric lamp exposed in said reflector.
 82. Anelectric light source as in claim 81, including: a movable housing forsaid reflector and said first and second lamps; and a switchingarrangement having a switch actuator coupled to said movable housing.83. An electric light source as in claim 81, wherein: said secondelectric lamp is oriented for generating a light beam along a generallysimilar direction as a light beam generated by said first electric lamp.